I worked with Charlie and a Intel NUC after everyone had left the SLOLUG meeting. I partitioned the SSD and configured Elementary OS, a Linux distribution, on the Intel NUC. I liked it so much I decided that my next HTPC (Home Theatre PC) would be an Intel NUC. I was most impressed with the "Intel Visual BIOS" which uses your mouse and not the up/down arrow keys, etc.

I researched the parts and ordered them from B&H. This will replace my older 2013 Shuttle HTPC which has been running continuously since it was turned on.

The parts cost $600

I will install Windows 10 Professional and Ubuntu Mate 18.04.1 on the Intel NUC. You may ask "Why run Linux on your TV?" Because I can...

I opted not to go to an i7 or 32GB RAM since this is only a HTPC. One of the many reasons to upgrade the HTPC is that it will be 4K compatible with my TV, something my older Shuttle HTPC did not support. The Intel NUC will have 16GB of Crucial RAM and a Samsung 500GB 970 EVO Plus NVMe M.2 Internal SSD which is 4 to 5 times faster than a regular SSD.

When it comes to routers I personally like the Netgear brand. It's been my recommended brand to other people for the last 5 years.

I have been using a Netgear AC1900 (R7000) (Like Dick as per my recommendation) since November 2014. My sister purchased the same model Netgear router about 1 year ago. Almost all my devices are 802.11ac so I maximize the network speed with this router. My wireless speed is almost the same speed as my wired connection.https://www.netgear.com/home/products/networking/wifi-routers/R7000.aspx